Add rugged flair to your letters with these vintage unused North American Wildlife Series "Mule Deer" postage stamps! This classic wildlife design is perfect for adding a touch of nature to your cards and letters or save-the-dates and weddings. In pristine mint condition and valid for current postage use, each stamp holds a face value of 22-cents. These USPS postage stamps are suitable for current mailing when used with the total required postage based on the weight of your correspondence. Embrace the call of the wild with this captivating postage stamp!

Purchase includes a total of TEN (10) mint condition postage stamps shown in the product listing photos.

STAMP INFORMATION:

• Name: Mule Deer
• Series: North American Wildlife
• Year Issued: 1987
• Face Value: 22-cents (USD) per stamp
• Topics and Themes: Deer, Antlers, Wildlife, Colorado, Rockies, Mountains, Western, Fall
• Color(s): Natural, Neutral, Orange, Multicolored
• Mailing Occasions: Wedding Invitations, Save the Date Announcements, Shower Invitations, Thank You Cards, Snail Mail, and more
• Printing Method: Photogravure
• Scott Number: 2294
• Adhesion Type: Gummed (see below for adhesion instructions)
• Condition: Genuine Unused USPS Postage Stamps, Ready to Use for USPS Mailings, Mint Condition

STAMP HISTORY: Part of the North American Wildlife series, this vintage postage stamp depicts a Mule Deer standing alert in an open landscape in a western U.S. mountainous region. The stamp’s artwork emphasizes the large, mule-like ears, a key identifying feature of the species. The colors reflect the deer’s tan to grayish-brown coat, blending with the dry rocky terrain. This unused 22-cent gummed stamp celebrates the North American continent's rich biodiversity, showcasing this species in its typical environment, emphasizing the importance of habitat in wildlife conservation.

The Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) is a species of deer native to North America, primarily found in the western United States, Canada, and Mexico. It gets its name from its large, mule-like ears, which are proportionally bigger than those of White-tailed Deer. Males (bucks) have large, forked antlers that shed and regrow annually. The Mule Deer prefers mountainous regions, deserts, forests, and grasslands in the western U.S. and Canada. Known for a distinctive “bounding” leap (stotting), which helps them evade predators, the Mule Deer is usually found in small herds, with bucks becoming solitary or forming bachelor groups outside of mating season.

The Mule Deer is the state mammal of Utah and is widely associated with the Rocky Mountain region. Many groups dedicated to preserving North American wildlife use the Mule Deer as a symbol of conservation efforts, particularly in the western U.S. The Mule Deer Foundation is an organization focused on protecting Mule Deer habitats.

STAMP MEANING & SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE: The Mule Deer holds deep symbolic meaning in Native American traditions, folklore, and spiritual beliefs. It is often associated with grace, intuition, and gentleness, while also representing strength and survival in harsh environments. The deer is seen as a symbol of kindness, grace, and peacefulness. It reminds people to approach life with compassion and maintain balance in relationships. With its large ears and keen senses, the Mule Deer represents heightened awareness and listening to one’s instincts. Some traditions see it as a messenger spirit, guiding individuals toward inner wisdom. Just as bucks shed and regrow their antlers, the deer symbolizes personal growth, renewal, and transformation. It encourages embracing change and new opportunities with grace and confidence. Living in diverse landscapes, the Mule Deer represents resilience and the ability to thrive in different environments. It is seen as a symbol of resourcefulness and perseverance in difficult situations. Many Native American tribes honor the deer as a sacred animal that represents balance with nature and respect for the land. The deer is often depicted in ceremonies, dances, and artwork as a sign of spiritual guidance and protection.

SERIES HISTORY: On June 13, 1987, the United States Postal Service (USPS) issued the North American Wildlife postage stamp series, a commemorative sheet featuring 50 different gummed 22-cent stamps. This release celebrated the rich diversity of North American fauna, showcasing species from various regions, including Alaska and Hawaii. Renowned wildlife artist Chuck Ripper illustrated the series, capturing the essence of each species with remarkable accuracy and detail. The stamps not only highlight the animals but also incorporate elements of their natural habitats, emphasizing the importance of environmental conservation. USPS and The Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) originally hoped to represent the State Animal of all 50 states. However, many states do not have a State Animal or share a State Animal with another state. Instead, USPS and CSAC opted to include avifauna, mammals, amphibians, and invertebrates from across the continent. Notably, the First Day of Issue ceremony took place at the Canadian Philatelic Exhibition (CAPEX) in Toronto, Canada, marking the third time a U.S. stamp issue had its inaugural event outside the United States. The North American Wildlife stamp series remains a favorite among collectors and nature enthusiasts, serving as a vivid reminder of the continent's rich and varied wildlife heritage.

GUMMED STAMPS: These postage stamps have a traditional moisture-activated gum on the back. These stamps require licking or wetting to adhere to envelopes or other surfaces. To ensure good adhesion, apply vintage gummed stamps to your mailings with a glue stick (we recommend using Elmer's "Re-Stick" glue sticks).

GENUINE USPS POSTAGE: These unused vintage postage stamps are perfectly valid for use as current postage for mailing with USPS as long as you use the adequate amount of additional postage to achieve standard postage rates according to the weight of your mailing. Check current postage rates at USPS.com.

TELL YOUR STORY IN STAMPS: We’ve worked with hundreds of couples and their stationers to custom design highly stylized personalized postage sets based on our customer’s life stories. We can help you curate personalized vintage postage sets to commemorate your save-the-date, wedding, shower, announcement, and other special occasions in a truly unique fashion. Drawing on our encyclopedic knowledge of every stamp ever issued by the USPS, and sourcing from our extensive inventory of collectable unused vintage stamps, we’ll help you tell your unique story in stamps!

ABOUT HERITAGE POST HOUSE: Jennifer Kramer is the founder of Heritage Post House, a boutique vintage postage house located in Northern California. Jennifer sources the most beautiful unused vintage postage stamps ever issued by USPS and artfully arranges them into curated postage sets that are sure to add a special touch to your invitations, announcements, and special mailings. In addition to creating pre-arranged postage sets, Jennifer also works with couples (and their stationers) to create one-of-a-kind custom postage arrangements for wedding invitations, save the dates, and other special occasions.


Product Specifications

Length: 1.57 in.
Height: 0.01 in.
Width: 0.98 in.
Weight: 0.01 lbs.